News Letter of the Los Angeles County Public Library June 1956

NEWS L E T T E R
LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
322 a. BROADWAY P.O. Box 111 LOB ANGELES 53, CALIF"ORNIA
Volume 9 Number 12 June 1956
..-,,.,,-..,----...,- ----
Of paramount interest in June was the American Library Association
convention at Miami Beach. The program at the first general session opened
with a showing of the Bette Davis film Storm Center, which will create some
lively conversation in library circles, particularly when the question of
censorship arises. The producers announce that the film will be released in
August. As Chairman of the Intellectual Freedom Committee I introduced the
film, predicting that it will make an impact on librarians, trustees, readers
and community leaders.
1 Much time during the convention week was given to the Intellectual
Freedom Connnittee. A report covering two years' work was presented at the
first Council meeting; the workshop at Philadelphia, publication of the
Connnittee's Newsletter, the distribution of approximately 25,000 reprint
items concerning censorship and intellectual freedom, in addition to the sale
of the Committee-sponsored publications Freedom of Communication and Freedom
of Book Selection were mentioned. The Committee also participated in the Adult
Education Workshop at the Miami conference.
Some time was scheduled at the booth exhibiting library building plans,
renderings, and photographs of recent branch and headquarters libraries.
Questions from librarians concerning procedure to follow in building planning,
available ai.ds a-nd servi-oes, as well as requests for -information on costs and
design, were asked by the visitors.
County Library staff members will be interested in knowing that a main
speaker at one general session was Jessamyn West who was on the program at our
Harvest Book Breakfast last year. Miss West gave an inspiring talk on the work
of the creative writer and the need for books and book service in the rural
areas as well as in the cities. She told of her early reading in rural Cali­fornia
and described her expanding interests as a reader and as a writer with
the help of good books and librarians.
It was a busy week and all too soon over. Following the convention a
trip was ma.de by rented car to Key West in the company of three staff members
of the Los Angeles Public Library, Mr. Hamill, Miss Bowler and Miss Laich,
together with Howard Rowe of the San Bernardino Public Library. It was a
memorable excursion and a most appropriate climax to a busy convention week.
It was a pleasure to meet at Miami Beach three of the foreign librarians
who visited us recently. Mr. Frank C. Tighe, Librarian of Nottingham (England)
Public Library, addressed the conference at the first meeting of the Council in
a most charming and refreshing fashion. ' His remarks and observations enlivened
a solemn business meeting which had been concentrating on committee report's and
announcements. On several occasions I had opportunities to talk with Mrs~
Adelheid Laro, City Librarian, Mikkeli Public Library, Finland, and Mr. G. K. ,
Anang, Librarian, Ministry of Education, Jakarta, Indonesia, both of whom spent
some time with us just before the conference.
-- J. D. H.
In connection with the positions established in the new budget conc~rning
reorganization, two appointments are announced. Effective August 1, the Chief
Regional Librarian w~ll be Mrs .. Elton Terry and }'irs. Catherine MacQuarrie will
be the Chief Accessions L1brarian. An examination will be given later for the
Chief Central Services Librarian. At future meetings of the branch and central
staff further plans will be discussed regarding the regional scheme of operation
and the reorganization of Central's functions.
A staff party was held for Miss Christeson Friday afternoon, June 29, at
which she received the good wishes and felicitations of the Central staff upo~
her new appointment as Assistant Librarian, Pasadena Public Library, effective
July 1. &he will be missed by the staff at Central and branches, and goes to
her new posi tion with the best wishes of all. Division Chiefs presented a desk
pen to Miss Christeson at an informal luncheon prior to her leaving.
FROM BILL
TO IAW
-- J.D.H.
****
Library workers everywhere can now reJoice that the Library Services
Bill i s at last the Library Services Lawl It was signed by President
Eisenhower while AIA was in session.
Mr. Henderson, as well as many other librarians of this area, had worked unceas­ingly
for passage of the act. In fact, one of Mr. Henderson's letters was used
as ammunition by Congressman James Roosevelt in remarks he made before the
House urging its favorable vote . The letter, quoted in full and printed in the
May 8 issue of the Congressional Record, pointed out that the Bill provides for
l i brary service for under- privileged areas of the country, some of which are in
California, but that Los Angeles County, with its well developed library system,
would not come under the act. The measure authorizes a ·$37,500,000 program of
Federal grants to be expended over a five-year period at the rate of, $7,500,000
annually, to aid states in establishing rural libraries. California's annual
share will be $239,598. At present there is one county in the state, Alpine,
which has no public library service whatsoever, while seven counties are without
county libraries .
Many County newspapers printed library-prepared articles favoring the Bill. The
honor roll includes the Herald-American chain of six papers, Pasadena. Star-News,
San Gabriel Valley Independent, Bell- Maywood Industrial Post, Torrance Herald,
Lomita News, Lomita Citizen, Monrovia News Post, Downey Leader, Huntington Park
Signal, San Dimas Press, East Los Angeles Tribune, Lawndale Tribune, Westchester
Citizen, Bell Gardens Review and Catalina Islander. To all the County Library
extends thanks .
- 2 ~
LIBRARY IS
ON 'IHE AIR
Three Library programs were featured this month on the County's
regular Monday morning radio show, County government speaks, and
four are scheduled for the first four Mondays in July.
The series are broadcast over Station KGFJ from 8:15 to 8:30 a.rn. They began
June 11 with Mr. Henderson as the first narrator on Library affairs. He told
of the program now in progress aimed at changing the Library from a rural system,
which all county libraries historically are, to one as urbanized as a large city
system. The change must be accomplished, he declared, if the Library is to meet
the needs increasingly arising in all sections of the territory served, since
County unincorporated areas "no longer rural, are now highly urbanized centers, 11
he said. He explained the "change" as involving acquisition of modern buildings,
"well lighted, with adequate sound-proof reading rooms," increased hours, increased
trained personnel and book stocks that averag~ "at least from 10,- to 20,000
volumes for every branch in the system." "The Library is now striving to give
proper service to a popuration o approxiniateJ.y-1.,200~ 000- in unincorporatea-areas
and to an additional 700,000 residents in 24 cities, and while we are making
lengthy strides it will be several years before we catch up with, let alone
surpass, population growth," he told the listening audience.
The Second Broadcast
Facts and figures of the building program were presented on the June 18 broad­cast
by Mr. Geller, Assistant County Librarian. He said "long range 11 plans
envision relocation of all branches now in outmoded quarters, consolidation of
some, establishment of a few new ones, and routing of bookmobiles in areas
impossible to serve by other means, "until eventually all county residents have
quick, easy access to adequate book stocks."
During the next ten years, he said, the Library anticipates maintaining the same
building tempo it has set during the past five, a period in which it acquired 18
new buildings.
Three methods of financing such structures were listed as: use of County funds,
10-year leases of new buildings designed for us but built by private capital,
and instances in which a municipality pays the original cost under contract with
the County for eventual purchase.
Main characteristics of all new buildings were described as "functional design,
centering around the circulation desk~ with provision for maximum shelving in
relation to floor space." Shopping centers were called "ideal locations.''
When economic reasons make such choice impossible the Library settles for a
compromise site that permits at least a tapping of the flow of community
residents who use the shopping center, he said.
Libraries scheduled for construction in 1956-57 were named as "a 4000 square foot
building at Newhall to serve that community, Saugus and Castaic; a branch at
Lakewood which is to be one of the largest in the system; a city-constructed
edifice at Manhattan Beach which will be leased to the County; a county
constructed building at Lawndale; and a sizeable extension added to the Rosemead
building.
Mrs. Wright on third
Mrs. Wright took over the third spot June 25, to break the news about a new
library inspired and sponsored activity designed to improve service. 'L'his, she
said, will be a course in principles of library service for non-professional
library workers or aspirants who might wish to become branch assistants. The
course is scheduled to start September 20 (registration session) at East Los
Angeles Junior College. There will be 17 classes, held weekly on Thursdays
from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Library Building on the campus.
Instruction will be under the direction of the college librarians, Carolyn S.
Palmer and Frederic M. Blissert, with some Division leaders from Central
scheduled for special lectures. Mrs. Wright will be the first of these. She
will instruct the class on county library organization at the first work session
September 27. Later speaker.,S will be Mrs •. Elton Terry and Mrs. Frances M. Greene,
wi-th rotirnrs -still -to ·be appoi.nte·d.- - Tra:ih:trrg ·witJ: b"e'" -gi V'Eft:f in libr~ry procedures,
registration, book repair, reference service, book selection, classification and
cataloging.
Mrs. Wright's radio talk was a special plea to anyone "interested and qualified"
to please sign upl The course is the special "brain child" of Mrs .• Wright and
Mrs. Marian c. Hayes, Personnel Assistant, who together induced the college to
include it in their fall curriculum.
In July you'll hear
Miss Hansen will explain, on the July 2 air show, the new ways worked out by the
Children's Division, and being tested this summer, to induce boys and girls to
frequent the libra:cy and to appreciate the adventure it can bring to their lives.
On July 9 the show will belong to Mrs. Frances M. Greene who will tell what the
Library has to offer in the way of specialized service for young adults.
Mr. Henderson will wind up the series on July 16.
Additional time has been allotted July 23 as part of the ceremonies attendant
on the establishment of our new branch, S0rensen. Virginia Ossen, Regional
Libr.a..tici.rLoi.. J :he d5.~.t.r.i_c..t_.in .wbi_cn_ _tbe _build_ing,_~t .11405 Ea.s.t .. Rosehedgf!!. ,Driv~ ., , .
Whittier, is located, will be the narrator.
:NE'W DUTIES
FOR JEAN
resignation
IT WAS QUITE
A MEETING
Giovanna (Jean) Castelfranco, member of the Reference staff since
January 1949, will serve for the time being as Acting Head of the
Reference Division, temporarily filling the vacancy caused by the
of Miss Christeson, Division Chief.
There was nothing routine about the Branches Meeting June 13 which
wound up the current season with a combination workshop, lecture
and so cial hour at the Clark Hotel.
Mrs. Wright's opening announcement suggested big things for the coming Harvest
Breakfast. The date was set for November 8, and a list of candidates for the
Six Honor Guests, containing names of several litera;py titans, was circulated
preparatory to future voting.
Authoress Sylvia Tate discussed her latest suspense novel The fuzzy pink nightgown,
which gives the Hollywood scene a new and original going-over, and which has
received flattering notices in several of the local book columns. She proved
to be a delightful and off-the-beaten-track personality. What she dislikes
above everything, she said, is "cliches", either verbally or in plot situation.
She quoted some reviewer 1 s estimate of her as a "professional illiterate who
doesn' t know what an adverb is," and voiced the fear that if she ever found out
it would destroy her writing abilit,y. She is a former Hollywood script writer,
one-time press agent for W. C. Fields and for Forest Lawn Cemetery, and has
authored several novels, including Never by chance and Woman on the run.
CATALOG A series of regional meetings, in which J.ltir. Henderson and Mrs.
MEETING ¥iacQuarrie discussed the book catalogs with branch personnel, ended
June 4 with a workshop at the East Los Angeles Branch. Enlarged
re-produ-cti.ons o'f'- severa:r-cata-J:og- pages-were- thrown--on a screen -and--expla±ned-in­detail
by V~s. MacQuarrie. New service features formerly unavailable in the
Library but included in the book catalogs, Mrs. MacQuarrie pointed out, are
listings of foreign language books by the language in which the book is written,
and a listing of Plays and Poems under headings Flays and Poems. Reference was
made to several libraries and schools that have shown interest in the project,
and to some that now use pages of the catalog as tools of instruction.
Mr. Henderson said "a great amount of work, imagination and detail" have gone
into the book catalogs, and that the Library is now concerned with polishing
and improving as the editions are issued.
MEDICAL GROUP Mrs. Ella Crandall, Branch Librari~n at the Los Angeles County
MEET HERE General Hospital, had charge of arrangements for the national
convention held here June 18-22 of the Medical Librarians
Asso cia ti on. More than 300 delegates attended. Meetings were held at the
Statler Hotel. Mrs. Crandall's activities included service on the Association's
Nominating Committee.
NEW LOOK AT Two weeks of repair work on the Morningside Park branch is
MORNINGSIDE producing a new appearing interior and exterior. A forced air
heating system and fluorescent lights have been installed. Floors
have been covered with asphalt tile and additional shelving set up. The building
is being completely redecorated inside and out, all work performed and paid for
by the City of Inglewood, owner of the building. Closed June 18, the branch is
scheduled for reopening July 2.
THREE GAIN
TEN-YEAR PINS
Ten-year service pins were presented by Mr. Geller on behalf of
the Board of Supervisors and Mr. Henderson to Mrs. Edna M. Austin,
Bella Vista Branch Librarian, Mrs. Bessie Zink, newly appointed
Florence Branch Librarian, and Mrs. Elizabeth Mead, Second Assistant, Monterey
Park Branch, at the June Branches Meeting. Mrs. Zink, fonnerly First Assistant,
succeeds Mrs. Gladys Davis who retired as Librarian at Florence June 9. Mrs.
Davis had been in charge of the branch since October 1944. She will make her
future home in Phoenix, Arizona, where a daughter now lives.
- s -
ANNUAL PRINT Portions of the annual traveling exhibit of the Print Makers
SOCIETY SHOW Society of California, one of the oldest and best known art
groups in the country, were hung this month in six branches,
Norwalk, Lynwood, Downey, Bellflower, Temple City and Willowbrook. Every year
a different show, current work of leading contemporary artists, is exhibited
in museums, galleries and libraries throughout the West and Middle West.
SORENSEN
OPEN HOUSE
in the area.
PERSPECTIVE
ON GRCMTH
Open house and dedication of the new Sorensen Library will take
place July 23 at 10 A.M. Supervisor Herbert c. Legg and Mr.
Henderson are now working out program details with civic groups
The Christian Science Monitor, June 21, 1956, issue, pays tribute
to libraries in the Los Angeles area in a full page display of
articles and pictures .in.which s~veral . paragraphs are devoted to
the County Library under the heading County folk like to read, too. The article,
based on information furnished some time ago, points up in dramatic manner the
almost unbelievable rate of growth experienced by the Library during its
current struggle to keep up with population increase. It shows that a brief
period of time can outmode our statistics.
Quoting Mr. Henderson as of that time the article asserts "a branch will soon
be opened in brand new Lakewood." Since then the 11new" Lakewood branch HAS
opened and has circulated 111,729 volumes. And two new branches, not in
existence then, have been established. They are Santa Fe Springs and Wiseburn.
Together, those .two have circulated 33,790 books.
The article also refers to the nearly ~'1,000 ,ooo book collection." Acquisition
of the millionth book was celebrated last May. The collection now totals
1,018,231.
However, an observation ma.de then by Mr. Henderson, namely, that television
aids and abets reading, since many 'N shows have sharpened interest in the old
classi cs and aroused interest in new subjects, still holds true. The "run" the
Library is now experiencing on juvenile books mentioned in the 'N booklists
recently distribut ed by the Chi ldren's Division, attests to that.
-.. ! .. ; . .. " •
GIFT FROM Architect Arthur Froehlich, who designed the beautiful structure
AN ARCHITECT that houses the Lynwood branch, has presented the branch two
outstanding books, described by Mr. Henderson as "titles that
are particularly appropriate as gifts from the building's architect." They are
An American architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, and Art in European architecture
by PaUI Damaz. A book plate showing Mt.Froehl:Lch as donor has been placed in
each volume and they are now a significant part of Lynwood's permanent collection.
MELCHER Leo Politi did not attend the A.L.A. conference but a painting of his,
FUND Little girl, little donkey, little boy, did. He contributed it to
the Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship Fund Auction, held· in Miami
June 20, and it brought the highest f i gure , $360, of any pai nting that went on
the block. The next highest sold for $100 less. Leo's picture was purchased
by the Philadelphia Free Publi c Library. The auction was part of the fund­raising
means adopted to attain a goal of $25,000 to finance a scholarship for
- 6 -
children's librarians. Articles for the auction were contributed by writers
and illustrators of children's books.
The scholarship honors Frederic G. Melcher for his outstanding contributions
to work with children. Besides his painting Leo contributed autographed
copies of all his books.
MEMORIAL TO Staff members who so desire have been asked to help establish
MRS. GANTT a $200 Memorial Membership Fund to honor Bernice M. Gantt who
died May 16 in Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Gantt was Assistant of the
Children's Division under Miss Cl.a.ire Nolte from September 1948 to May 19S2.
The plan is to deposit the money in the AIA endowment fund to be designated as
the Bernice Gantt Memorial Membership. If less than $200 is received the sum
will be given in her memory to the Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship Fund for the
tra-±ning-o-f-e-h-i-ld-renLs- libPaP--ians. GheQ.kB--GI!--mGrn.ey- orders-may be- sent to
Mildred L. Batchelder, American Library Association, So East Huron Street,
Chicago, Illinois.
SYMPATHY Sympathy of all is extended to Nellie Frost whose father, Leroy C.
FROM ALL Frost, retired carpenter and cabinet maker long associated with the
film industry, died July 1 in a local hospital. Mr. Frost suffered
a paralytic stroke a year and a-half ago. Miss Frost, Branches Supervisor, is
known to practically every member of the Library staff. All are saddened by
the news of her loss.
DEADLINE ON
BRANCH REPORTS
All annual branch reports MUST be on Mr. Henderson's desk no
later than July lS. The annual official document is going to
press earlier than in the past and the hope is nNo bottlenecks,
please!"
BOOKS FOR Growing with the years, a list of books for and about older people,
THE AGED prepared by ¥iary Rogers Smith, Branches Supervisor, is being used
and widely distributed by the Senior Citizens Service Center set up
by the County Committee on the-Aging-. 0-ther- copie :were- dia.ttibuted_a.t_the
last May 23 annual meeting of Western Gerontological Society at U.C.L.A.
FROM THE BRANCHES DIVISION
Florence A. Berg, Branch Librarian at Rosemead for the last 23 years, was
honored by the entire corrununity with reception and tea at the Library, Sunday
afternoon, June 24. Spearheaded by the Rosemead Women's Clubs, Senior and
Junior, and by the Rosemead PTA Council, 22 different organizations took part
in the arrangements and the festivity. It was planned as a "surprise" but the
news leaked. Too many interested participants.
Mrs. Ann Newdigate, Branch Librarian at Baldwin Park since July 19S2, resigned
during the month. Reason: maternity. Mrs. Jean I. Allen, former Assistant at
El Monte, was appointed her successor.
- 7 -
Mrs. Charlotte Brace, San Dimas Branch Librarian, has been more than busy this
month answering County-wide interest in a unique exhibition on display at the
branch. It is a collection of archaeological relics of past life and civili­zation
in Mexico, some more than 10,000 years old. Sponsored by the Evening
Section, San Dimas 'Woman's Club, it is the property of and was unearthed by
German-born amateur archaeologist Gerhard Vester who lived nine years in the
interior of Mexico and has but recently come to this country. Write-ups on
the exhibit, which includes sculpture, precious metals, semi-precious stones
and pre-Columbian artifacts, have appeared in several publications.
Mrs. Leone Loos, La Canada Branch Librarian, was the reason for a letter of
thanks and compliments received recently by Mrs. Wright from Mrs. Elsie A. Tower
of the Glendale Branch, American Association of University Women. Mrs. Tower
wrote, "Mrs. Loos gave a most appreciated talk on suggestions for summer reading
before my Noon Book Review group. Her remarks were most helpful to the 30
members present. I know it is a delight for a Supervisor to know of the good
work of her individual staff members."
FROM THE CHILDREN'S DIVISION
Miss Hansen, who attended the ALA conference and who is a member of the
Committee on Standards, Children's Library Association, reported for Committee
Chairman Rosemary Livsey at the CI.A Membership meeting, as Miss Livsey was
unable to attend. Miss Hansen also served as one of the hostesses at the
professional booth set up by the Division of Libraries for Children and Young
People at the main convention hotel, and was an active bidder at the Frederic G.
Melcher Scholarship Fund Auction, obtaining a folio of Daniel Boone lithographs
by Fedor Rojankovsky, printed in Paris in 1931 in a limited edition of fifty.
Most of the copies were destroyed during the war •••••• Big news on the home
front was the repeat calls from many branches for additional copies of the TV
Booklist and dispatch to all branches of a series of six brightly colored ~
Bookmarks that list several more books related to various general themes.
The · Bookmarks, which should prove as popular as the Booklist, were created
by Mrs. Sarah L. Moody, Children's Librarian, Compton Branch •••••• Alice
Stjernquist was library emissary June 14 at an indoctrination course given by
the County Department of Parks and Recreation to an incoming group of sununer
playground assistants. She discussed, demonstrated and answered questions on
the techniques of storytelling •• o••• A series of forenoon story hours for pre­school
to Third Grade age groups, and afternoon book discussion for the Third
to Sixth Graders, have been set up at as many branches as was possible for the
limi ted number of Children's Librarians to cover. The discussions have been
christened Powwow; Mrs. Vera G. Paul, Claremont Branch Librarian, suggested
the catchy title •••••• Mrs. Winifred MacArthur, Children's Librarian, San
Fernando, and member of the Melcher Fund Committee, CI.A, has called on all
library personnel to support a fund-raising benefit performance of The Seven
Year Itch, Pasadena Playhouse, Sunday, July 22, at 8:20 p.m. Tickets cost
$2.00. Reservations may be made through the Children's Division at Central.
UW:AL
7/5/56
~ 8 -

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NEWS L E T T E R
LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
322 a. BROADWAY P.O. Box 111 LOB ANGELES 53, CALIF"ORNIA
Volume 9 Number 12 June 1956
..-,,.,,-..,----...,- ----
Of paramount interest in June was the American Library Association
convention at Miami Beach. The program at the first general session opened
with a showing of the Bette Davis film Storm Center, which will create some
lively conversation in library circles, particularly when the question of
censorship arises. The producers announce that the film will be released in
August. As Chairman of the Intellectual Freedom Committee I introduced the
film, predicting that it will make an impact on librarians, trustees, readers
and community leaders.
1 Much time during the convention week was given to the Intellectual
Freedom Connnittee. A report covering two years' work was presented at the
first Council meeting; the workshop at Philadelphia, publication of the
Connnittee's Newsletter, the distribution of approximately 25,000 reprint
items concerning censorship and intellectual freedom, in addition to the sale
of the Committee-sponsored publications Freedom of Communication and Freedom
of Book Selection were mentioned. The Committee also participated in the Adult
Education Workshop at the Miami conference.
Some time was scheduled at the booth exhibiting library building plans,
renderings, and photographs of recent branch and headquarters libraries.
Questions from librarians concerning procedure to follow in building planning,
available ai.ds a-nd servi-oes, as well as requests for -information on costs and
design, were asked by the visitors.
County Library staff members will be interested in knowing that a main
speaker at one general session was Jessamyn West who was on the program at our
Harvest Book Breakfast last year. Miss West gave an inspiring talk on the work
of the creative writer and the need for books and book service in the rural
areas as well as in the cities. She told of her early reading in rural Cali­fornia
and described her expanding interests as a reader and as a writer with
the help of good books and librarians.
It was a busy week and all too soon over. Following the convention a
trip was ma.de by rented car to Key West in the company of three staff members
of the Los Angeles Public Library, Mr. Hamill, Miss Bowler and Miss Laich,
together with Howard Rowe of the San Bernardino Public Library. It was a
memorable excursion and a most appropriate climax to a busy convention week.
It was a pleasure to meet at Miami Beach three of the foreign librarians
who visited us recently. Mr. Frank C. Tighe, Librarian of Nottingham (England)
Public Library, addressed the conference at the first meeting of the Council in
a most charming and refreshing fashion. ' His remarks and observations enlivened
a solemn business meeting which had been concentrating on committee report's and
announcements. On several occasions I had opportunities to talk with Mrs~
Adelheid Laro, City Librarian, Mikkeli Public Library, Finland, and Mr. G. K. ,
Anang, Librarian, Ministry of Education, Jakarta, Indonesia, both of whom spent
some time with us just before the conference.
-- J. D. H.
In connection with the positions established in the new budget conc~rning
reorganization, two appointments are announced. Effective August 1, the Chief
Regional Librarian w~ll be Mrs .. Elton Terry and }'irs. Catherine MacQuarrie will
be the Chief Accessions L1brarian. An examination will be given later for the
Chief Central Services Librarian. At future meetings of the branch and central
staff further plans will be discussed regarding the regional scheme of operation
and the reorganization of Central's functions.
A staff party was held for Miss Christeson Friday afternoon, June 29, at
which she received the good wishes and felicitations of the Central staff upo~
her new appointment as Assistant Librarian, Pasadena Public Library, effective
July 1. &he will be missed by the staff at Central and branches, and goes to
her new posi tion with the best wishes of all. Division Chiefs presented a desk
pen to Miss Christeson at an informal luncheon prior to her leaving.
FROM BILL
TO IAW
-- J.D.H.
****
Library workers everywhere can now reJoice that the Library Services
Bill i s at last the Library Services Lawl It was signed by President
Eisenhower while AIA was in session.
Mr. Henderson, as well as many other librarians of this area, had worked unceas­ingly
for passage of the act. In fact, one of Mr. Henderson's letters was used
as ammunition by Congressman James Roosevelt in remarks he made before the
House urging its favorable vote . The letter, quoted in full and printed in the
May 8 issue of the Congressional Record, pointed out that the Bill provides for
l i brary service for under- privileged areas of the country, some of which are in
California, but that Los Angeles County, with its well developed library system,
would not come under the act. The measure authorizes a ·$37,500,000 program of
Federal grants to be expended over a five-year period at the rate of, $7,500,000
annually, to aid states in establishing rural libraries. California's annual
share will be $239,598. At present there is one county in the state, Alpine,
which has no public library service whatsoever, while seven counties are without
county libraries .
Many County newspapers printed library-prepared articles favoring the Bill. The
honor roll includes the Herald-American chain of six papers, Pasadena. Star-News,
San Gabriel Valley Independent, Bell- Maywood Industrial Post, Torrance Herald,
Lomita News, Lomita Citizen, Monrovia News Post, Downey Leader, Huntington Park
Signal, San Dimas Press, East Los Angeles Tribune, Lawndale Tribune, Westchester
Citizen, Bell Gardens Review and Catalina Islander. To all the County Library
extends thanks .
- 2 ~
LIBRARY IS
ON 'IHE AIR
Three Library programs were featured this month on the County's
regular Monday morning radio show, County government speaks, and
four are scheduled for the first four Mondays in July.
The series are broadcast over Station KGFJ from 8:15 to 8:30 a.rn. They began
June 11 with Mr. Henderson as the first narrator on Library affairs. He told
of the program now in progress aimed at changing the Library from a rural system,
which all county libraries historically are, to one as urbanized as a large city
system. The change must be accomplished, he declared, if the Library is to meet
the needs increasingly arising in all sections of the territory served, since
County unincorporated areas "no longer rural, are now highly urbanized centers, 11
he said. He explained the "change" as involving acquisition of modern buildings,
"well lighted, with adequate sound-proof reading rooms," increased hours, increased
trained personnel and book stocks that averag~ "at least from 10,- to 20,000
volumes for every branch in the system." "The Library is now striving to give
proper service to a popuration o approxiniateJ.y-1.,200~ 000- in unincorporatea-areas
and to an additional 700,000 residents in 24 cities, and while we are making
lengthy strides it will be several years before we catch up with, let alone
surpass, population growth," he told the listening audience.
The Second Broadcast
Facts and figures of the building program were presented on the June 18 broad­cast
by Mr. Geller, Assistant County Librarian. He said "long range 11 plans
envision relocation of all branches now in outmoded quarters, consolidation of
some, establishment of a few new ones, and routing of bookmobiles in areas
impossible to serve by other means, "until eventually all county residents have
quick, easy access to adequate book stocks."
During the next ten years, he said, the Library anticipates maintaining the same
building tempo it has set during the past five, a period in which it acquired 18
new buildings.
Three methods of financing such structures were listed as: use of County funds,
10-year leases of new buildings designed for us but built by private capital,
and instances in which a municipality pays the original cost under contract with
the County for eventual purchase.
Main characteristics of all new buildings were described as "functional design,
centering around the circulation desk~ with provision for maximum shelving in
relation to floor space." Shopping centers were called "ideal locations.''
When economic reasons make such choice impossible the Library settles for a
compromise site that permits at least a tapping of the flow of community
residents who use the shopping center, he said.
Libraries scheduled for construction in 1956-57 were named as "a 4000 square foot
building at Newhall to serve that community, Saugus and Castaic; a branch at
Lakewood which is to be one of the largest in the system; a city-constructed
edifice at Manhattan Beach which will be leased to the County; a county
constructed building at Lawndale; and a sizeable extension added to the Rosemead
building.
Mrs. Wright on third
Mrs. Wright took over the third spot June 25, to break the news about a new
library inspired and sponsored activity designed to improve service. 'L'his, she
said, will be a course in principles of library service for non-professional
library workers or aspirants who might wish to become branch assistants. The
course is scheduled to start September 20 (registration session) at East Los
Angeles Junior College. There will be 17 classes, held weekly on Thursdays
from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Library Building on the campus.
Instruction will be under the direction of the college librarians, Carolyn S.
Palmer and Frederic M. Blissert, with some Division leaders from Central
scheduled for special lectures. Mrs. Wright will be the first of these. She
will instruct the class on county library organization at the first work session
September 27. Later speaker.,S will be Mrs •. Elton Terry and Mrs. Frances M. Greene,
wi-th rotirnrs -still -to ·be appoi.nte·d.- - Tra:ih:trrg ·witJ: b"e'" -gi V'Eft:f in libr~ry procedures,
registration, book repair, reference service, book selection, classification and
cataloging.
Mrs. Wright's radio talk was a special plea to anyone "interested and qualified"
to please sign upl The course is the special "brain child" of Mrs .• Wright and
Mrs. Marian c. Hayes, Personnel Assistant, who together induced the college to
include it in their fall curriculum.
In July you'll hear
Miss Hansen will explain, on the July 2 air show, the new ways worked out by the
Children's Division, and being tested this summer, to induce boys and girls to
frequent the libra:cy and to appreciate the adventure it can bring to their lives.
On July 9 the show will belong to Mrs. Frances M. Greene who will tell what the
Library has to offer in the way of specialized service for young adults.
Mr. Henderson will wind up the series on July 16.
Additional time has been allotted July 23 as part of the ceremonies attendant
on the establishment of our new branch, S0rensen. Virginia Ossen, Regional
Libr.a..tici.rLoi.. J :he d5.~.t.r.i_c..t_.in .wbi_cn_ _tbe _build_ing,_~t .11405 Ea.s.t .. Rosehedgf!!. ,Driv~ ., , .
Whittier, is located, will be the narrator.
:NE'W DUTIES
FOR JEAN
resignation
IT WAS QUITE
A MEETING
Giovanna (Jean) Castelfranco, member of the Reference staff since
January 1949, will serve for the time being as Acting Head of the
Reference Division, temporarily filling the vacancy caused by the
of Miss Christeson, Division Chief.
There was nothing routine about the Branches Meeting June 13 which
wound up the current season with a combination workshop, lecture
and so cial hour at the Clark Hotel.
Mrs. Wright's opening announcement suggested big things for the coming Harvest
Breakfast. The date was set for November 8, and a list of candidates for the
Six Honor Guests, containing names of several litera;py titans, was circulated
preparatory to future voting.
Authoress Sylvia Tate discussed her latest suspense novel The fuzzy pink nightgown,
which gives the Hollywood scene a new and original going-over, and which has
received flattering notices in several of the local book columns. She proved
to be a delightful and off-the-beaten-track personality. What she dislikes
above everything, she said, is "cliches", either verbally or in plot situation.
She quoted some reviewer 1 s estimate of her as a "professional illiterate who
doesn' t know what an adverb is," and voiced the fear that if she ever found out
it would destroy her writing abilit,y. She is a former Hollywood script writer,
one-time press agent for W. C. Fields and for Forest Lawn Cemetery, and has
authored several novels, including Never by chance and Woman on the run.
CATALOG A series of regional meetings, in which J.ltir. Henderson and Mrs.
MEETING ¥iacQuarrie discussed the book catalogs with branch personnel, ended
June 4 with a workshop at the East Los Angeles Branch. Enlarged
re-produ-cti.ons o'f'- severa:r-cata-J:og- pages-were- thrown--on a screen -and--expla±ned-in­detail
by V~s. MacQuarrie. New service features formerly unavailable in the
Library but included in the book catalogs, Mrs. MacQuarrie pointed out, are
listings of foreign language books by the language in which the book is written,
and a listing of Plays and Poems under headings Flays and Poems. Reference was
made to several libraries and schools that have shown interest in the project,
and to some that now use pages of the catalog as tools of instruction.
Mr. Henderson said "a great amount of work, imagination and detail" have gone
into the book catalogs, and that the Library is now concerned with polishing
and improving as the editions are issued.
MEDICAL GROUP Mrs. Ella Crandall, Branch Librari~n at the Los Angeles County
MEET HERE General Hospital, had charge of arrangements for the national
convention held here June 18-22 of the Medical Librarians
Asso cia ti on. More than 300 delegates attended. Meetings were held at the
Statler Hotel. Mrs. Crandall's activities included service on the Association's
Nominating Committee.
NEW LOOK AT Two weeks of repair work on the Morningside Park branch is
MORNINGSIDE producing a new appearing interior and exterior. A forced air
heating system and fluorescent lights have been installed. Floors
have been covered with asphalt tile and additional shelving set up. The building
is being completely redecorated inside and out, all work performed and paid for
by the City of Inglewood, owner of the building. Closed June 18, the branch is
scheduled for reopening July 2.
THREE GAIN
TEN-YEAR PINS
Ten-year service pins were presented by Mr. Geller on behalf of
the Board of Supervisors and Mr. Henderson to Mrs. Edna M. Austin,
Bella Vista Branch Librarian, Mrs. Bessie Zink, newly appointed
Florence Branch Librarian, and Mrs. Elizabeth Mead, Second Assistant, Monterey
Park Branch, at the June Branches Meeting. Mrs. Zink, fonnerly First Assistant,
succeeds Mrs. Gladys Davis who retired as Librarian at Florence June 9. Mrs.
Davis had been in charge of the branch since October 1944. She will make her
future home in Phoenix, Arizona, where a daughter now lives.
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ANNUAL PRINT Portions of the annual traveling exhibit of the Print Makers
SOCIETY SHOW Society of California, one of the oldest and best known art
groups in the country, were hung this month in six branches,
Norwalk, Lynwood, Downey, Bellflower, Temple City and Willowbrook. Every year
a different show, current work of leading contemporary artists, is exhibited
in museums, galleries and libraries throughout the West and Middle West.
SORENSEN
OPEN HOUSE
in the area.
PERSPECTIVE
ON GRCMTH
Open house and dedication of the new Sorensen Library will take
place July 23 at 10 A.M. Supervisor Herbert c. Legg and Mr.
Henderson are now working out program details with civic groups
The Christian Science Monitor, June 21, 1956, issue, pays tribute
to libraries in the Los Angeles area in a full page display of
articles and pictures .in.which s~veral . paragraphs are devoted to
the County Library under the heading County folk like to read, too. The article,
based on information furnished some time ago, points up in dramatic manner the
almost unbelievable rate of growth experienced by the Library during its
current struggle to keep up with population increase. It shows that a brief
period of time can outmode our statistics.
Quoting Mr. Henderson as of that time the article asserts "a branch will soon
be opened in brand new Lakewood." Since then the 11new" Lakewood branch HAS
opened and has circulated 111,729 volumes. And two new branches, not in
existence then, have been established. They are Santa Fe Springs and Wiseburn.
Together, those .two have circulated 33,790 books.
The article also refers to the nearly ~'1,000 ,ooo book collection." Acquisition
of the millionth book was celebrated last May. The collection now totals
1,018,231.
However, an observation ma.de then by Mr. Henderson, namely, that television
aids and abets reading, since many 'N shows have sharpened interest in the old
classi cs and aroused interest in new subjects, still holds true. The "run" the
Library is now experiencing on juvenile books mentioned in the 'N booklists
recently distribut ed by the Chi ldren's Division, attests to that.
-.. ! .. ; . .. " •
GIFT FROM Architect Arthur Froehlich, who designed the beautiful structure
AN ARCHITECT that houses the Lynwood branch, has presented the branch two
outstanding books, described by Mr. Henderson as "titles that
are particularly appropriate as gifts from the building's architect." They are
An American architecture by Frank Lloyd Wright, and Art in European architecture
by PaUI Damaz. A book plate showing Mt.Froehl:Lch as donor has been placed in
each volume and they are now a significant part of Lynwood's permanent collection.
MELCHER Leo Politi did not attend the A.L.A. conference but a painting of his,
FUND Little girl, little donkey, little boy, did. He contributed it to
the Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship Fund Auction, held· in Miami
June 20, and it brought the highest f i gure , $360, of any pai nting that went on
the block. The next highest sold for $100 less. Leo's picture was purchased
by the Philadelphia Free Publi c Library. The auction was part of the fund­raising
means adopted to attain a goal of $25,000 to finance a scholarship for
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children's librarians. Articles for the auction were contributed by writers
and illustrators of children's books.
The scholarship honors Frederic G. Melcher for his outstanding contributions
to work with children. Besides his painting Leo contributed autographed
copies of all his books.
MEMORIAL TO Staff members who so desire have been asked to help establish
MRS. GANTT a $200 Memorial Membership Fund to honor Bernice M. Gantt who
died May 16 in Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Gantt was Assistant of the
Children's Division under Miss Cl.a.ire Nolte from September 1948 to May 19S2.
The plan is to deposit the money in the AIA endowment fund to be designated as
the Bernice Gantt Memorial Membership. If less than $200 is received the sum
will be given in her memory to the Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship Fund for the
tra-±ning-o-f-e-h-i-ld-renLs- libPaP--ians. GheQ.kB--GI!--mGrn.ey- orders-may be- sent to
Mildred L. Batchelder, American Library Association, So East Huron Street,
Chicago, Illinois.
SYMPATHY Sympathy of all is extended to Nellie Frost whose father, Leroy C.
FROM ALL Frost, retired carpenter and cabinet maker long associated with the
film industry, died July 1 in a local hospital. Mr. Frost suffered
a paralytic stroke a year and a-half ago. Miss Frost, Branches Supervisor, is
known to practically every member of the Library staff. All are saddened by
the news of her loss.
DEADLINE ON
BRANCH REPORTS
All annual branch reports MUST be on Mr. Henderson's desk no
later than July lS. The annual official document is going to
press earlier than in the past and the hope is nNo bottlenecks,
please!"
BOOKS FOR Growing with the years, a list of books for and about older people,
THE AGED prepared by ¥iary Rogers Smith, Branches Supervisor, is being used
and widely distributed by the Senior Citizens Service Center set up
by the County Committee on the-Aging-. 0-ther- copie :were- dia.ttibuted_a.t_the
last May 23 annual meeting of Western Gerontological Society at U.C.L.A.
FROM THE BRANCHES DIVISION
Florence A. Berg, Branch Librarian at Rosemead for the last 23 years, was
honored by the entire corrununity with reception and tea at the Library, Sunday
afternoon, June 24. Spearheaded by the Rosemead Women's Clubs, Senior and
Junior, and by the Rosemead PTA Council, 22 different organizations took part
in the arrangements and the festivity. It was planned as a "surprise" but the
news leaked. Too many interested participants.
Mrs. Ann Newdigate, Branch Librarian at Baldwin Park since July 19S2, resigned
during the month. Reason: maternity. Mrs. Jean I. Allen, former Assistant at
El Monte, was appointed her successor.
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Mrs. Charlotte Brace, San Dimas Branch Librarian, has been more than busy this
month answering County-wide interest in a unique exhibition on display at the
branch. It is a collection of archaeological relics of past life and civili­zation
in Mexico, some more than 10,000 years old. Sponsored by the Evening
Section, San Dimas 'Woman's Club, it is the property of and was unearthed by
German-born amateur archaeologist Gerhard Vester who lived nine years in the
interior of Mexico and has but recently come to this country. Write-ups on
the exhibit, which includes sculpture, precious metals, semi-precious stones
and pre-Columbian artifacts, have appeared in several publications.
Mrs. Leone Loos, La Canada Branch Librarian, was the reason for a letter of
thanks and compliments received recently by Mrs. Wright from Mrs. Elsie A. Tower
of the Glendale Branch, American Association of University Women. Mrs. Tower
wrote, "Mrs. Loos gave a most appreciated talk on suggestions for summer reading
before my Noon Book Review group. Her remarks were most helpful to the 30
members present. I know it is a delight for a Supervisor to know of the good
work of her individual staff members."
FROM THE CHILDREN'S DIVISION
Miss Hansen, who attended the ALA conference and who is a member of the
Committee on Standards, Children's Library Association, reported for Committee
Chairman Rosemary Livsey at the CI.A Membership meeting, as Miss Livsey was
unable to attend. Miss Hansen also served as one of the hostesses at the
professional booth set up by the Division of Libraries for Children and Young
People at the main convention hotel, and was an active bidder at the Frederic G.
Melcher Scholarship Fund Auction, obtaining a folio of Daniel Boone lithographs
by Fedor Rojankovsky, printed in Paris in 1931 in a limited edition of fifty.
Most of the copies were destroyed during the war •••••• Big news on the home
front was the repeat calls from many branches for additional copies of the TV
Booklist and dispatch to all branches of a series of six brightly colored ~
Bookmarks that list several more books related to various general themes.
The · Bookmarks, which should prove as popular as the Booklist, were created
by Mrs. Sarah L. Moody, Children's Librarian, Compton Branch •••••• Alice
Stjernquist was library emissary June 14 at an indoctrination course given by
the County Department of Parks and Recreation to an incoming group of sununer
playground assistants. She discussed, demonstrated and answered questions on
the techniques of storytelling •• o••• A series of forenoon story hours for pre­school
to Third Grade age groups, and afternoon book discussion for the Third
to Sixth Graders, have been set up at as many branches as was possible for the
limi ted number of Children's Librarians to cover. The discussions have been
christened Powwow; Mrs. Vera G. Paul, Claremont Branch Librarian, suggested
the catchy title •••••• Mrs. Winifred MacArthur, Children's Librarian, San
Fernando, and member of the Melcher Fund Committee, CI.A, has called on all
library personnel to support a fund-raising benefit performance of The Seven
Year Itch, Pasadena Playhouse, Sunday, July 22, at 8:20 p.m. Tickets cost
$2.00. Reservations may be made through the Children's Division at Central.
UW:AL
7/5/56
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